THE firm looking to build a straw-burning power station on

the outskirts of Brigg has seen its plans for a similar plant

in Lincolnshire rejected.

However, Renewable energy company Eco2 Lincs immediately

announced it would be appealing to the Government to get the

negative decision on its Sleaford scheme overturned.

North Kesteven District Council planning staff recommended

approval, but councillors, who had the final say, decided to

refuse the £20-million scheme, offering 80 jobs.

David Williams, chief executive of Eco2, said they were very

disappointed.

"The creation of an exciting and important project for the

local area is an opportunity not to be missed," he added.

Target date for North Lincolnshire Council to reach a

decision on the Brigg Biomass Station – on the former sugar

factory site – is August 28.

Major objections have been raised by residents living

nearby, whose concerns include the number of heavy lorries

which would pass their homes on the way to and from the

plant.

Coun Nigel Sherwood, who represents Brigg on North

Lincolnshire Council, revealed the biomass plant was not on the

agenda for the next planning committee meeting tomorrow and

there would not be another until September.

He also revealed residents' worries about wind-blow straw

blocking gulleys on drains and increasing the risk of

flooding.

"I am still getting letters from concerned residents," he

said.

Tony Longland, a member of the residents' group from Scawby

Brook battling the Brigg biomass plant, said they took 'some

heart' from hearing North Kesteven councillors had overturned

planners' recommendations for the Sleaford development.